​​​​​​​​​​​​​Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Solutions is a managed care organization currently covering 2.4 million individuals in North Carolina. Cardinal Innovations manages all Medicaid, state and local funding for mental health, intellectual and developmental disability, and substance use/addiction services in our covered areas, with the exception of Mecklenburg county whose local funds continue to be managed by the local county government entity. ​

Cardinal Innovations provides access to high quality services through a comprehensive network of more than 1,100 of the best providers across the state. We are a community-focused organization with a history of sustained partnerships with consumers, local stakeholders and elected officials designed to create quality solutions for people who rely on the public system for care.

Cardinal Innovations has a 40-year history of managing community services for people with mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities and substance use/addiction conditions. We are proud of our eight-year track record of proven success in the operation of a Medicaid Managed Care waiver. We have redefined Managed Care through our hands on and compassionate approach. Our track record includes significant savings to taxpayers, positive consumer outcomes and reinvestment in additional services for the people and the communities we serve. The North Carolina General Assembly endorsed our model as the basis for the statewide expansion of the Medicaid Managed Care waiver.

Our Purpose: To enhance the health and well-being of the individuals and their families.

Our Mission: We create and manage quality solutions for people who depend on the public system for care.

Our Vision: A community where each person is welcomed, respected and valued.

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Our Core Values:

Accountability: We are responsive, fair and reasonable.

Integrity: We uphold the highest ethical standards.

Excellence: We are best at what we do.

Partnership: We honor, trust and empower others.

Cardinal Innovations is currently North Carolina’s largest Medicaid managed care plan with over 350,000​ enrollees in 16 counties. Cardinal Innovations is headquartered in Kannapolis and operates four Community Operations Centers in central North Carolina:

Cardinal Innovations has representatives available 24-hours per day for information, referrals and crisis care. Callers can talk to a licensed clinician, and make appointments with service providers. If you need assistance with mental health, intellectual and developmental disability or substance use/addiction services, you may call the toll-free number
1.800.939.5911

Cardinal Innovations has online materials available to assist you. You can find our brochures, review our enrollee handbook and other publications, find a provider or visit one of several informative web pages with the click of a button.

Consumers and FamiliesOur
Office of Consumer Affairs can help you navigate the service system, listen to your concerns and help you resolve problems.

ProvidersOur provider website provides detailed information on working with Cardinal Innovations as a provider of services. There, you will find communications, guidelines and other information designed to assist you in your role as
a Network Provider with Cardinal Innovations.

NC Innovations and the NC MH/DD/SAS Health PlanThe North Carolina Innovations Waiver is a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver authorized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under Section 1915 (c) of the Social Security Act.
NC Innovations is a means of funding services and supports for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and who are at risk for institutionalization. Cardinal Innovations piloted the demonstration project for NC Innovations before it was expanded statewide in January 2012. NC Innovations operates concurrently with the North Carolina Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services Health Plan. The
NC MH/DD/SAS Health Plan is a 1915 (b) Waiver that functions as a prepaid insurance plan for individuals on Medicaid who need services for mental health, substance abuse and intellectual/developmental disability conditions.

Outcomes and EvaluationsCardinal Innovations conducts an annual Consumer Survey as one measurement of how we are performing. The Consumer Survey, as well as other
performance-related documents are on our website.

Job OpportunitiesThe Human Resources Department recognizes the need to attract the most highly qualified, skilled and diverse talent. We are committed to the vision of creating a community where each person is welcomed, respected and valued, and this starts with each other. Our website features
job openings at any of the Cardinal Innovations office locations​

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Solutions requires priority admission to all w​omen who are pregnant and injecting drugs, pregnant and using substances and other individuals who are injecting drugs.